The numbers speak for themselves: Recycling pays.

Byline: Recycling By Sarah Grimm For The Register-Guard

CORRECTION (ran 9/12/03): Lane County households saved 3.5 trillion BTUs of energy and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 150,507 metric tons carbon equivalent through recycling efforts in 2001. The Sept. 6 Recycling column on Page F4 misstated those figures.

Most people know that recycling is an important way to manage the garbage we generate, and that it reduces the need for landfills and incinerators. In fact, the Lane County waste industry reports that more people recycle than vote.

But recycling is far more than just a local waste management strategy; it also is the best way to reduce the destructive effects of industrial production.

In 2001, Lane County recycling programs supplied industry with more than 203,544 tons of scrap commodities such as paper, glass, metals, plastics, wood, construction and demolition debris and other materials.

Supplying industry with recycled materials rather than "virgin" resources extracted from forests and mines is environmentally preferable because it leaves natural systems intact to filter our water and clean our air. Use of recycled products saves energy, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other dangerous pollutants from manufacturing plants. Lastly, it extends the life of our local landfills.

By recycling paper, glass, metals and plastic, Lane County citizens saved about 3.5 million BTUs of energy in 2001; that's enough to power more than 35,000 homes for the year.

Energy savings is probably the most important environmental benefit of recycling. The steps in supplying recycled paper, cans and glass to industry typically use less energy than the steps in supplying trees, rocks and minerals to industry . And even more energy savings are gained in the manufacturing process itself, as recycled materials already have been processed at least once.

Lane County recycling efforts reduced greenhouse gas emissions by about 150,507 million tons carbon equivalent in 2001 - equal to taking 114,000 cars off the road for the year.

By reducing the amount of energy needed for product manufacturing, recycling is a major player in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helps stem the dangers of global climate change. Consider also that one of the more polluting elements of industry and manufacturing - transportation and vehicle use - also is the most prevalent source of carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions.

Nearly 759 tons of waterborne pollutants and 204,115 tons of air pollutants were not released into our environment because of Lane County's recycling efforts.

In addition to greenhouse gases, recycling can prevent a range of pollutants from entering the air and water. Again, this is because recycled materials sent to industry can replace the need for the more chemical-intensive processing of `virgin' materials. Recycling has been shown to produce less of 27 different types of pollutants, compared with the use of virgin materials in manufacturing and disposing wastes.

By providing more than 81,988 tons of old paper to the mills in Oregon last year, Lane County preempted the need to process 1,192,407 trees into paper products. When paper mills use recycled content, it requires fewer harsh chemicals, less heat and electricity and a lot less water. This saves money as well as valuable resources for the community.

Additionally, recycling and reuse industries create jobs.

Although traditionally lauded as an environmental strategy, recycling's importance in America's economic picture is growing. According to the 2001 U.S. Recycling Economic Information Study, conducted for the National Recycling Coalition (www.nrc-recycle.org), the U.S. recycling and reuse industry employed more than 1.1 million people and the `indirect' effects on support industries - accounting firms and office supply companies, etc. - support an additional 1.4 million jobs.

This column is provided by Lane County Recycling. Sarah Grimm is education coordinator for BRING Recycling.